Combined support and spacer for bars



Oct. 12,1943. E. H. .GEYER ETAL 2,331,54

COMBINED SUPPORT AND SPACER FOR BARS Filed May 19, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 12,1943. E. H. GEYER ETAL COMBINED SUPPORT ANDSPACER FOR BARS Filed May 19, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 12, 1943. E. H. .GEYER ETAL 3 5 COMBINED SUPPORT AND SPACER .FOR BARS Filed May 19, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 12, 1943 zen t COMBINED SUPPORT ANp srAcERaFoit" Ernest Geyerland Marion-r @Geyer, r

Chicago, Ill.

Appetiteon a ra, 1941, Serial no. 394,210 "li'ClflifilS' rotor-1s) a;

The present invention relates generally; to

combined supports and spacers forfb-ars. More particularly the invention relates to that type "of;

combined support and spa-cerwhi-chis designed and especially adapted for useinconnebtiOn with the formation of a concrete structure; such, for example, as a slab type roadway on a subgrade, and comprises a series of 'quidistaritly spaced chairs which are formed of sheet"rnr etal strips and consist of seat forming or holder parts for a series of parallel horizontally extending "bars, and pairs of downwardly-divergent ie gsior supporting theholder parts in anjelevated position with respect to the subjacent supporting surface or subgrade. r Y i v j One object of the inventi'on-isto provide-a coin binedsupport andspacer-whichis an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over,preyiousdetailed description.

1y designed combined bar 'supports and spacers and is characterized by the fact that it efieC- tively and efliciently fulfills its intended purpose and not only is durable and exceptionally sturdy but also is capable of being fabricated at a low and reasonable cost. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined bar support and spacerroi the type under consideration in which the equidistahtly spaced chairs are of improved design andcon; struction and have short horizontally disposed outwardly extending integral feet on the legs thereof that extend in one direction and have comparatively long horizontally disposed outwardly extending integral feet on the other legs Another object of theinventionis to provide a combined support and spacer of the last mentioned character in which the outer end or the long foot of each chair is disposed beneath, and is connected in a novel manner to, the short foot and the inner portion of the long foot-of the adjoining chair and servesgas a medium for holding the legs of said adjoining chair in fixed relation.

provide a combined bar suppers and spacer which is capable of being quickly and readily'assexn'oled with respect to the bar-s to be supported and retained in place and serves-when in its J operative position to hold the bars in a trulyparallel position. e

Other objects of the inventiona-nd theyvarii ous advantages and characteristics of thepresen-t combined bar support and spacer Will be ap- A further object of the invention is to provide the invention;

parent from' a cons iderationfoi fflfl following The jinvention consists in the 'severalln'ovel features whi'chfare*liiereinaft erset'forthand'are v 5 more particularly defined-by"claims at the 0on clusion hereof. r

In the drawings whichiac'c'or'npany and form apart of this specification on-disclosureand whichlik'e "numerals andfl'ettersof referencc de views: g

Figure 1 is afra gmeritaryperspectiweView of a roadway joint supporting unit con'si' H I, two combined supports and spacersf em ody ing note corresponding parts' througlio ut the several Figure-f2 -is Vertical longitudinal section through; one of the {combined supports {and spacers illustrating m j'detail the: arrangement and the design offthe longffeetof the chairs and showing the manner in which they are secured in place and form ajchford or base for the supportland spacer;

Figures 3, land 5 are vertical transversesections lt aken respectively onthe'lines' i 4 Figures 7, a, 9 and is are'per-spective'iiiews showing the manner in which-each ofith'e chairs is rormed.

Thcfinventi'onjis ekemplifi'ed ina unit-for "use? in connection with aroadway. joint consisting ofa'fille-rftfip S of compressiblefinatrial and a series offparall'elhorizontally 'eiitend'ing load transfer bars "HI The joint 'is adapted for dis position between'a p'air of adjoining roadway assume an upstandi ngorvertical pos'ition 'between the fs'l-abs. The*load itranster bars 'B are spaced e'q tantly by the improved unit in parallel relation withfthe subgrad-e n which the roadway iormin'g slabs rest.=They' are similar indesi'gn andconstruction fan-e each consifsts of sheet metal sleeve b,

a dowel rod Z)" in the sleeve, caps b at the ends oith'e *sleeve and; a pair of wing equipped stamping typefstl 'ess reducersb on thefinner'porti'ons,

or the of th'esleeve. centr'al'fportions of the newestf l'oad transfer'barsjB are J weakened andjlfi't withinthe'holesiithe :co'mpi essible filler strip'S'. The dowelrods b extend across the central portions of 'the sleeves b" and are shorter in length'than the sleeves in order that theendsthereof terminate 'inwardl'y'of the caps hi. Thejends of the sleevesb'ecorn bonded tolthe slabs upon hardening or setting of the concrete fWhen the 'sl'a'bs' contract the weakened central portions of the sleevesruptur e with "apart; They extend 1 through mes the filler strip S and are held coplanar with the feet the result that the ends of the sleeves are free to slide on the ends of the dowel rods. The stress reducers 19 like the ends of the sleeves, become bonded to the slabs after setting of the concrete. They are located on opposite sides of the compressible filler strip S, as shown in Fi ure 1, and serve to reenforce the portions of the concrete that surround the ends of the sleeves b.

The unit serves to hold the joint in place during pouring of the concrete at the sides of the filler strip S in connection with formation of the slabs. It is adapted to become permanently associated with, and also to reenforce, the concrete, and consists of a pair of combined bar supports and spacers 6 and I and a series of cross strips'8r The combined support and spacer 6 is located at one side of the compressible filler strip S of the joint and serves to support the adjoining ends of the load transfer bars B. The other combined support and spacer, that is, the combined support and spacer I, is located at the other side of the strip S and is associated with, and serves to support, the other ends of the bars B. .The cross strips extend between the combined supports and spacers 6 and and serve, as hereinafter described, to hold them in laterally spaced relation.

The combined support and spacer 6 extends in parallel relation with the compressible filler strip S of the joint and consists of a series of equidistantly spaced chairs 9. The latter correspond in number to, and are associated respectively, with, the load transfer bars B of the roadway joint. They are formed of sheet metal stampings and consist of tubular seat forming or holder parts I and pairs of downwardly divergent legs II and I2. The holder parts I0 are carried by the legs II and I2 so that they are disposed in an elevated position with respect to the subgrade and are in alignment with the bar holes in'the'strlp 5. They are in the form of three quarter round bands and have substantially cylindrical interiors which serve as 4 seats or pockets for the adjoining ends of the sleeves b of the load transfer bars B. The legs II of the chairs are straight and extend downwardly and outwardly in one direction. The other legs, that is, the legs I2, are also straight and extend downwardly and outwardly in the opposite direction. The lower ends of the legs II embody integral outwardly extending feet I3 and these feet, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, are comparatively short and extend horizontally. The lower ends of the legs I2 of the chairs embody integral outwardly extending feet I4. Such feet extend horizontally and are substantially I3. They are many times longer than the feet I3 and serve as a medium for connecting. together the chairs 9 of the combined support and spacer 6. Preferably each foot I4 is twice as long as the space between the lower ends of the legs II and I2. The central portions of the legs II are struck outwards to form longitudinally extending reenforcingjribs I5 and the centralportions of the short feet I3 are struck upwards to form longitudinally extending reenforcing ribs The ribs I5 are full length and extend from the inner ends of the ribs I6 to the holder parts In. The central portions of the legs I2 of the chairs 9 are struck outwards to form reenforcing ribs I1 and the central portions of the feet I4 are struck upwards to form longitudinally extending reenforcing ribs I9. The ribs II-are full length and extend from the inner ends of the bs I3 to the holder parts I9. The ribs I8 serve to prevent bending or distortion of the feet M and extend between the inner or root portions of such feetand the outer extremities. As shown in Figures I and 2, the outer end of each foot I4 is arranged or positioned so that it underlies the short foot I3 and the inner portion of the long foot of the adjoining chair 9 and bridges the space between the lower ends of the legs of such adjoining chair. In order to interlock the chairs 9 so as to hold them in proper laterally spaced relation the outer extremities of the reenforcing ribs I8 are shaped to form hollow hemispherical head-like enlargements I9 and the portions of said ribs that are substantially midway between the inner. root portions of the feet I4 and the outer extremities or ends of said feet are shaped to form upwardly extending hollow hemispherical head-like enlargements 2G. The enlargements I9 are shaped to fit within hollow hemispherical enlargements 2I and the enlargements 26 are shaped to fit within, and interlock with, hollow hemispherical enlargements 22. The enlargements 2I are formed as parts of the inner portions of the reenforcing ribs 48 and the enlargements 22 are formed of parts of the reenforcing ribs I6 of the short feet I3. Inassembling the combined support and spacer 6 the chairs 9 are first arranged in series form. Thereafter the long foot I4 of each chair is ,manipulated or positioned so that it underlies the feet of the next adjoining chair and its enlargements I9 and 20 are in interfitting relation with the enlargements 2I and 22 of the feet of the next adjoining chair. As soon as the long feet I4 are brought into proper interlocking relation the chairs 9 are held in proper spaced relation. For the purpose of holding the enlargements I9 in interlocking or interfitting relation with the enlargements 2! at the inner or. root portionsof the ribs I8 locking clips 23 are provided. These clips, as shown in Figure 5, are inthe form of sheet metal strips and underlie and extend transversely across the outer ends of the long feet I4. The ends of the looking clips 23 are bent so that they extend upwards and then inwards. The upwardly extending portions of the ends of the clips are arranged in straddled relation with the side edges of the long feet I4 of the chairs and the inwardly extending portions overlie the inner ends of the feet I4 and thus serve to hold the enlargements I9 and 2| in seated or interlocked relation. ,The central portions of the clips 23 are struck upwards to form concavo-convex heads 24 and these fit within the enlargements I9 and serve to hold the clips 23 against longitudinal movement relatively to the long feet I4 of the chairs. The enlargements 20 and 22 are held in interlocked or interfitting relation by means of sheet metal clips 25. These clips are the same in design and construction as the clips 23. The central portions of the clips 25 underlie and extend transversely across the portions of the long feet I4 that are directly beneath the enlargements 20 and the ends of the clips 25 extend upwards and then inwards. The upwardly extending portions of said clips 25 are arranged in straddled relation with the adjacent side edges of the feet of the chairs and the inwardly extending portions overlie the side margins of the short feet I3, as clearly shown in Figure 5. The central portions of the clips 25 have upstruckhemispherical heads 26 and these fit within the enlargements 20 and serve to amines .hold; :the iclips against longitudinal displace- .ment. When the-combined support and spacer ficiently held against lateral displacement due .to the bridgin @action of -.nhe outer endsoi the long ieet- M. The longifeetrldeandltheqshort feet l.3'of the lchairsril constitute a-chord or base torthe combined (support and spacer 36.. I

Each of the'chairs .8 of the combined {support and spacer a1 is formed as illustrated .in Figures -.6 to :10, inclusive. In forming -eaoh chair a strip of sheet metal is employed. Such-strip, as shown ini ure fi, is aft-uniform width :from end to end; .-In practice it-alias been found that but foursteps are necessary 'to form each chairs. The first step-oonsistsin taking :the sheet metal strip and stamping "one end thereof .so that it has the shape or form which is shown in Figure '7. In the first stamping operation the strip isshaped :to form the -holder part llfl', the rib equipped legs ,!I and 112 and-the short foot 13. As shown in figure 'Ltheholdempart M .is

flat rand the legs 1! and ;.L2,-are-ooplanar and project inioppcsite directions .ircm' the holder tox'a stamping operation in order to form the longitudinally extending rib -18 and the enlargements 419, 2B and '24. The second stamping operation results in completion of :the long foot M of the chair; After the second stamping operation the enlargement Z2 is formed in1the reenforcing ribtfi of the short foot liieasfshown in Figure :9. To-lcomplete the :ohair rbhe leg ,H

' :is swung downwards :into its proper orzangular position with respect to the leg bZ. :Downward bending-ref :the log N causes the holder part ill to be sbent automatically into substantially =cylindnical dorm, ,asshown in Figure ill) of the drawings.

The combined support and spacer :1 at :the

other -or -opposite side :of the compressible filler strip S is exactly the -.same :in'rdesign sand con struction as the combined support :andspaoerfi. It operates to support the adjoining ends of the .load transfer :ba-rs B :and 'consistsof -a series of :equidistantly aspaeediohairs 21. The latter, like the chairs -.9, are formed '01: .sheet :metal strips, as shown -in .-Ei gure 1, the chairs 2:! consists of three-quarter round holder members 2d and downwardly divergent alegs 25 land The holder members 2-8 are shaped toreoeiveEt-he adjoining 'or adjacent ends of the sleeves b of the :loars B and are :supported 'by the legs :29 and Si) in an elevated position with respect to the subgrade. The legs 29 {extend iinveone direction and embody :short feet .31. The other legs; :that is, the legs :Sll, extend in the opposite direction and embody long feet 32. The iatterrcorrespond in lengthto, and are arranged in .thersamezman 'ner zas,tthe feet M ,ofithe wchai'rszll. Each 20f :the long feet 32 is arranged so that the outer end thereof underlies :the short foot and the inner or ,rootportion o'fathe long foot of the adjoining chair, as shown in Figure l. Interfitting en'- largements like the enlargements t9 and 2i "and theinterfittingenlargementsfll and 2 serve to secure, the chairs ZJ ingconnected relation. Clamp type sheet metal strips 33 and iiillglilre the clips rzfi-land 1233,, look together the interfitting enlargements of the chairs 21-.

r f-act'that the ribs are in the form of loops the 'The oross strips 8 for spacing apart the iconi- :binede-s ll ilwntsaand spacers -6 and lare formed of sheet metal strips. llhe cer1tral portions of such strips .nnderlie and extend ltransyersely of :the compressible .-filler -strip S, The end 40f the strips that are at (one, side of the filler strip are bent to form hooks 35 and (theseare arranged .inyhooked relation with theglon gafeet M of the chairs 8,, asshown-iniEig-unes ,-l and 5. The'other ends of ithe cross strips :8, vthat is, the end-s at the other side of the compressible filler-strip S, are v-bent or :shaped'to form hooks .36 and these arearranged iny-hooked relation with the long rieet 32 of chairs The portionsof :the toross' rstripsthat: are immediately inwards of .the hooks and 66 :are stnuok lipwards to form loop iyperibs 31. ;Such=rihs fit withinlthe longitudinallyextending-ribs of the long :Eeet of the chairs asshown tin Figure and serve :to' lock the combined supports and spacers "B rand 1 against inward movement. By reason :Of ithfi cross strips 8 are free to expand and contract in response toexpansion ,a nd contract-ion of the roadway forming slabs xin whichthe unit is em,- bedded. By reason rof the tact that the long .feet of the ichairs overlie the ribs 3:1 1 10 conicretefiows around such -,-ribs in connection with formation-lofithe ,slabs.s- Holes are formedin the, strips 8 in order that nails or spikes may be driven thrdughwthe strips into the subgrade in order to hold the unit :in place ,In addition vto the icombined supports and Spacers 6 and J and theioross strips 8' the unit comprises a strip .38 "This-strip .is preferably formed of sheet metal .and.has. .equidistant1y spaced holes .39. The latter are the sfame in 7 diameter as. the sleeves b .of .the load transfer barsB. Ifheends of the.sleeves b thatgare supportedfby the chairs 35! extend .throu h'the holes .39, in "the strip 38, as .shownsinligures land 2. Preferably the stripfis 'locatedbetween the holder parts Zilpf the .chairs i2! .and the adjacent stress reducers b .Whenthe strip 38 is in place ,it serves to prevent yertical .flexure or bending of .the xcon'ibined.supports handspacers '6 and "l. The lstfripflcoristitutes simple means ,f r preventing fiexure 1? the unitwhile the lat- 'ter is fheing .rnaniprilated into 'place over the subgrade preparatory .to pouring concrete .at the sides o'fflthefillerstripfi. i H @111 assembling the roadway .Jointand .unit :the

- load transfer bars Bare firstiarrangedin assemoperation lo'r istepj-the cross stripes are posidied relation with the compressible filler' strips.

of the chairs 59. ,After thi s operation the strip '33 ismounted on the other .ends-zof the sleeves and suchvends are inserted ,into ,the holder parts 528 -.of the,.ohairs 21. At thehconclusion {of this tioned under ;the Jo ng-sfeet ;of :the lchairs and the ends or extremities are bent upw lrdsitand in wards to form the hooks 35 and 36. When the roadway joint and unit are in place on the subgrade concrete is poured at opposite sides of the compressible filler strip in order to form the roadway.

The herein described unit, due to its design and construction, may be assembled quickly and operates properly to hold in place the loadtransfer bars B. Because the combined supports and spacers 6 and l are formed for the most part of the chairs 9 and 21 the unit may bebuilt up to any desired length. The unit as a whole is rigid and serves, after pouring of the concrete, to reenforce the roadway slabs.

Whereas the invention 'has been described in connection with a unit for supporting a roadway joint of the compressible filler strip and load transfer bar type it is to be understood that the invention contemplates as one embodiment thereof a single combined support and spacer forgeneral use in connection with a series of parallel horizontally extending bars. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these maybe modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having'thus described the invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patout is 1. A combined support and spacer for a series of parallel horizontally extending laterallysp'acecl bars, comprising a series of laterally spaced chairs each bent from a single piece of sheet metal, consisting of a holder part for one of the bars, a pair of downwardly divergent legs extending downwards from the holder part, a short outwardly extending horizontal foot at, and formed integrally with, the lower end of one of the legs, and a long outwardly extending horizontal foot at, and formed integrally with, the lower end of the other leg, and having the outer'portion of the long foot thereof underlying, and secured to, the short foot and the inner portion of the long foot of the adjoining chair.

2. A combined support and spacer for a, series of parallel horizontally extending laterally spaced bars, comprising a series of laterally spaced chairs each in the form of a bent strip, consisting of a holder part for one of the bar a pair of w downwardly divergent legs extending downwards from the holder part, a short outwardly extending horizontal foot at, and formed integrally with, the lower end of one of the legs, and a long outwardlyextending horizontal foot at, and

formed integrally with, the lower end of the other leg, and having the outer end of the long foot thereof underlying, and interlocked by head and socket connections with, thefshort foot and the inner portion of. the long foot of the adjoining chair. p

3. A combined support and spacer for a series of parallel horizontally extending laterally spaced bars, comprising a series of laterally spaced chairs each in the form of a bent strip of sheet metal, consisting of a holder part for one'ofthe bars, a pair of downwardly divergent legs extending downwards from the holder part, a short outwardly extending horizontal foot at, and formed integrally with, the lower end of one of the legs, and a long outwardly extending horizontal foot at, and formed integrally with, the lower end of the other leg. and having the outer end of the long foot thereof underlying, and interlocked by head and socket connections with, the short foot and the inner portion of the long foot of the adjoining chair; and also comprising clips extending around the portions of the feet having the head and socket connections and serving together with said connections rigidly to secure or look the chairs together.

4. A unit adapted to support a series of laterally spaced substantially horizontal bars and comprising a pair of combined supports and pacers arranged in opposed relation andat right angles to the bars and each including a series of chairs with holder parts for the adjacent ends of the bar and horizontal connecting members extending between and serving to connect said chairs and having longitudinal grooves in the under sides thereof, and sheet metal cross strips extending between and serving to cross connect said combined support and spacers and having upstanding transverse loop type ribs at the ends thereof fitting within, and interlocked with, the grooves of said members.

5. A unit adapted to support a series of laterally spaced substantially horizontal bars and comprising a pair of combined supports and spacers arranged in opposed relation and at right angles to the bars and each including a series of chairs with holder parts for the adjacent ends of the bars and horizontal connecting members extending between and serving to connect the chairs and having longitudinally extending grooves in the under side'thereof, and sheet metal cross members extending between and serving to cross connect said combined supports and spacers and having the ends thereof shaped to form hooks in hooked relation with said connecting members and having the portions thereof immediately inwards of their ends provided with upstanding transverse loop type ribs fitting within, and interlocked with, the grooves in said members.

6. That improvement in the manufacture of a bar supporting chair which comprises stamping a sheet metal strip to form a substantially fiat central part and a pair of coplanar leg forming parts at the ends of the central part and with longitudinal centrally disposed out-struck full length reenforcin ribs, and then swinging one of the leg forming parts relatively to the other in a direction opposite to the direction in which the rib of said one leg forming part extends in order to bring them into a position wherein they extend at an acute angle with respect to one another and at the same time to cause the central part to be bent into a curved form so that it forms a holder for the bar.

7. That improvement in the manufacture of a bar supporting chair which comprise stamping a sheet metal strip of uniform width from end to end to form a substantially flat central part and a pair of coplanar leg forming parts at the ends of the central part and with longitudinal centrally disposed out-struck full length reenforcing ribs with curved and tapered inner ends, and then swinging one of the leg forming parts relatively to the other in a direction opposite to that in which the rib of the one leg forming part extend in order to bring them into a position wherein they extend at an acute angle with respect to one another and form the legs of the chair and at the same time cause the central part to be bent into a three-quarter round form wherein it forms the bar holding medium of the chair.

ERNEST H. GEYER. MARION R. GEYER. 

